Top 15 Festivals in Vietnam that you should not miss

Time

• Lunar Calendar: 1st – 3rd of the 1st month
• Gregorian Calendar: Around late January to early February

What’s so good about it?

Lunar New Year, locally called Tet, is the biggest festival of the year with the whole country downing tools for family get-togethers. Principally a religious celebration, don’t expect too much of a wild party, but it’s still a fascinating time to visit Vietnam and you’ll certainly find locals lighting fireworks, visiting temples with their families, and the interesting sight of many flower stalls set up as giving flowers is customary during Tet.

Where's the best place to celebrate?

Tet is celebrated throughout Vietnam, but it’s best to be in the larger cities, as smaller towns really do shut down, making it difficult to find food and transport. Hanoi is the best place to enjoy this festivity. Quan Su Pagoda or Ngoc Son Temple is where you can see locals lighting incenses and praying to their ancestors in the morning while Hanoi Opera House often organize vibrant parties and fireworks displays.

Here is more detail about Tet Vietnam

Time

• Lunar Calendar: 13 of the 1st month
• Gregorian Calendar: Mid-February 

What's so good about it?

Lim Festival is where you can enjoy UNESCO-listed Quan Ho folk singing performances and a wide range of traditional games during your visit. Held on the 12th and 13th day of the first lunar month, several stages are built within the village where you get to see locals performing in traditional costumes. We highly recommend heading over to the lake outside the Lim Communal House to catch Quan Ho singing performance on a dragon boat. Lim Festival also hosts folk games such as danh du (bamboo swings), cockfighting, tug-of-war, wrestling, human chess, and blind man’s bluff.

Where's the best place to celebrate?

Lim Festival is celebrated in Lim Village, which is located within the Tien Du District, Bac Ninh Province. Located 18km from Hanoi, You can easily make your way to this traditional village by bus or rental car.

Time

• Lunar Calendar: 14th – 15th of the 1st month
• Gregorian Calendar: mid-February

What's so good about it?

This festival originates from China but over time, it became an important aspect in Vietnamese’s cultural and religious life. The story behind this was that long time ago, a hunter on earth killed a swan from heaven. To revenge that, the Heaven God planned out a rain of fire on the first full moon night to destroy mankind. However, there were some gods do not agree with this action and told human to burn big fires, light up lanterns and pray on that day, so that the Heaven God was thought that mankind was burned by the fire rain.
Traditionally on this day, locals go to pagodas to pray for good things for their family members and their beloved.

Where's the best place to celebrate?

This is best to see at the big pagoda where people come to pray for good luck & health for the family members.

Time

• Lunar Calendar: 15th of the 1st month
• Gregorian Calendar: Mid-February/March 

What's so good about it?

Perfume Festival draws throngs of local pilgrims from all over Vietnam to Hanoi’s iconic Perfume Pagoda, where they to pray for a prosperous year and pay their respects to Buddha. The pilgrimage starts with a dragon dance at Den Trinh Pagoda on the 15th day of the 1st Lunar, where pilgrims (and even travellers) travel by boat along the Yen River to the base of Huong Mountain, passing by limestone caves and rice fields. The journey continues on foot by climbing hundreds of stone steps towards Huong Tich Cave, offering a colourful display of food offerings, statues of deities, lit incenses, and praying locals.

Where's the best place to celebrate?

Perfume Festival takes place at the Perfume Pagoda in Hanoi, from the 15th day of the 1st lunar month.

Time

• Lunar Calendar: 3rd of the 3rd month
• Gregorian Calendar: Late March to Early April

What's so good about it?

Phu Giay Festival draws in worshippers of the goddess Lieu Hanh to Phu Giay Pagoda, where they pray for good fortune whilst carrying decorated bamboo relics and wearing traditional costumes. Located 88km east of Hanoi, the temple also hosts various games such as capture-the-flag, human chess, lion dancing, and wrestling, resulting in a vibrant atmosphere throughout the day. Visitors can also enjoy folk dance and classical songs such as Trong Quan, Cheo (satirical musical theatre) and Ca Tru (chamber music).

Where's the best place to celebrate?

Phu Giay Festival is only celebrated by villages within the Kim Thai Commune, with the best place to celebrate being the Phu Giay Temple.

Time

• Lunar Calendar: 10th of the 3rd month
• Gregorian Calendar: early April

What's so good about it?

Hung King Temple Festival is held in commemoration of Kinh Duong Vuong, who became Vietnam’s first king in 2879BC. While the main worship event takes place at the Hung Temple, which is perched atop Nghia Linh Mountain in Phu Tho Province, 100 lanterns are released into the sky on the eve of the festival. The next morning, a flower ceremony is held at Den Thuong (Upper Temple), where the Hung Kings used to worship deities during their reign. Lastly, a huge procession starts at the foot of the mountain, consisting of pilgrims, Xoan classical song performances, and ca tru classical operas at several temples along the way towards the main Hung Temple.

Where's the best place to celebrate?

Hung King Temple Festival is celebrated at the Hung Temple on Nghia Linh Mountain in Phong Chau District, Phu Tho Province.

Time: April/May/June every two years of Gregorian calendar

What's so good about it?

Hue Festival is a biannual celebration that takes place in UNESCO-listed Hue City, where you can enjoy an array of cultural events, games, and performances held over a week. Founded in 2000, the festival was held to preserve traditional customs that were practiced during the Nguyen Dynasty. If you’re visiting Hue in April, May or June, expect unique showcases such as the Hue Poetry Festival, Dialogue of Drums and Percussions, and Ao Dai Fashion Shows, sporting activities like kite flying, boat racing, and human chess, as well as street performances, film screenings and art exhibitions.
 
Where's the best place to celebrate?

Hue Festival is only celebrated in Hue City, which is the capital of Thua Thien Hue province in Central Vietnam.

Here is everything about Hue Festival

Time: 30th April every year (Gregorian Calendar)

What's so good about it?

Celebrated throughout Vietnam, Reunification Day is another one of the festivals in Vietnam 2020 which is a national festival as well as a public holiday. On 30th April, South Vietnam got free from American troops and came under one government with North Vietnam. The people of Vietnam celebrate their unification at this festival. Events are organized in different parts of the country like Ethnic group performance and exhibition in Sapa, display of fireworks of international teams in Danang and an amazing parade in Hanoi. You can attend all these festivities and if you are on a vacation in Vietnam on their liberation day.

Where's the best place to celebrate?

Reunification day is celebrated throughout Vietnam, but it’s best to be in the larger cities such as Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh city

Here is everything about Vietnam Reunification Day

Time

• Lunar Calendar: 8th of 4th month
• Gregorian Calendar: Late April – early May

What's so good about it?

Buddha’s Birthday is celebrated by devotees throughout Vietnam, despite being a communist country. Taking place on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month, many temples are adorned with lavish decorations with locals offering fruit, flower garlands, and various Vietnamese dishes. This event often draws thousands of visitors looking to partake in street parades and prayer sessions.

Where's the best place to celebrate?

Hoi An is arguably the best place to enjoy this festivity. Held at Phap Bao Pagoda, the day starts with a procession of monks along the streets of Hoi An Ancient Town, before locals flock to the temple to perform religious rites and listen to Buddhist scriptures. In the evening, expect a lively parade along the main road of the Old Town, where animals are released while flower garlands and lanterns are placed along the riverbank. Aside from experiencing the local culture, Buddha’s Birthday is also a great time to enjoy vegetarian dishes sold by street vendors in Hoi An.

Time

• Lunar Calendar: 15th of the 7th month
• Gregorian Calendar: Early September

What's so good about it?

The annual Wandering Souls Day takes place on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, which locals believe is the day when spirits of their ancestors are able to visit their homes. On the eve of the festival, families flock to Buddhist temples and graves of their departed loved ones to offer prayers, flowers, sticky rice cakes, sugarcane, and fruits. Paper money and clothes are also burned during this time of the year.

Where's the best place to celebrate?

While Wandering Souls Day celebrated by Buddhist population across Vietnam, the best place to enjoy this sombre festivity is in Hue, where numerous Buddhist shrines and pagodas are flooded with locals and monks performing ceremonies and prayers. The festival is also known as the Cold Food Festival (Tet Han Thuc) as chilled dishes such as banh troi (floating rice cake) and banh chay (glutinous rice balls with mung bean paste) are typically eaten.

Time: 2nd September every year (Gregorian Calendar)

What's so good about it?

Every year on 2nd September, Vietnam celebrates the euphoric day of their independence in a grand way. On this day the president of Vietnam read the declaration of Independence of Vietnam and this day is an eminent historical event for the locals. This festival is the National Day of the country and a public holiday. Parades are organized and people celebrate it with great zeal and zest.

Where's the best place to celebrate?

Independent day is celebrated throughout Vietnam, but it’s best to be in the larger cities such as Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh city

Time

• Lunar Calendar: 14th – 15th of the 8th month
• Gregorian Calendar: early – mid September

What's so good about it?

Mid-Autumn Festival, held on the 14th and 15th day of the 8th lunar month, features a wide range of activities such as children carrying paper lanterns, lion dances, and food booths selling mooncakes, sticky rice, fruits, and various sweets. Also known as the harvest festival, households set up an altar during the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, on which they display offerings in honour of the full moon.

Where's the best place to celebrate?

Mid-Autumn Festival is best enjoyed in Hoi An, where you’ll get to see plenty of street performances, lantern processions and arts exhibitions throughout UNESCO-listed Ancient Town. Children also get to participate in essays, drawing and colouring contests during Mid-Autumn Festival, while visitors can enjoy breathtaking sights of colourful paper lanterns lining the Thu Bon Riverside and Japanese Covered Bridge.

Here is more detail about Vietnam Mid-Autumn Festival

Time: 14th day of every lunar month 

What's so good about it?

Hoi An Lantern Festival is a monthly event that transforms the quaint UNESCO World Heritage Site into a spectacular display of paper lanterns. On the 14th day of each lunar month, every shop, restaurant, bar and businesses in the Ancient Town switches off all electricity and relies on hundreds of candles and lanterns. Meanwhile, entrance to all temples is free of charge, where you can see monks and locals holding candlelit ceremonies.

Where's the best place to celebrate?

Hoi An Lantern Festival takes place in UNESCO-listed Hoi An, but the best place to celebrate is along the Ancient Town area. Held until late, the streets are also filled with musicians playing traditional instruments, Chinese chess, poetry readings, and lantern-making classes.

Here is more about Hoi An Lantern Festival

Time: 30th October every year (Gregorian Calendar)

What’s so good about it?

Halloween falls on the last day of October and the people of Vietnam have started celebrating this festival in recent times. Halloween is one of the festival that is popular all around the world. Whether its India or Vietnam, the younger generation celebrated all kinds of festivals which sound fun and have a great concept. The most famous spot to witness the celebrations is Hang Ma Street. From Pumpkin lantern to decorations and from masks to Witch hat, you will find everything in the markets. You can head to any bar or club and you can have a great time while you are all decked up in your Halloween costume.

Where's the best place to celebrate?

This festival is more popular in the big city like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh, which are more affected by western culture. 

Time: 24th December every year (Gregorian Calendar)

What’s so good about it?

In the past, Christmas was not very popular among Vietnam festivals except for a minority population of Catholic people. Until today, Christmas is not a public holiday but more and more Vietnamese people are excited, prepare for, and rejoice this day of the year. Coming to Vietnam in December or winter, travelers will have the opportunity to emerge themselves into the Christmas atmosphere celebrated by the local people. On this day, Vietnamese doesn’t put a Christmas tree in each house but there are Christmas trees in stores and hotels. The neon lights on the streets are fantastic and many hotels or shopping centers put on sparkling Christmas decorations such as Christmas trees, snowflake decorations, colorful ribbons and decorative balls.

Where's the best place to celebrate?

This festival is more popular in the big city like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh, which are more affected by western culture. 

• Jan 1: Western New Year's Day
• Feb 3: Founding Day of the Communist Party of Vietnam
• Apr 30: Liberation Day of South Vietnam and Saigon
• May 1: Labour Day
• May 19: Ho Chi Minh's birthday
• May 28: Holiday in commemoration of the birth, the enlightenment and the death of the Buddha
• Sep 2: National Holiday
• Sep 3: Day to commemorate the death of Ho Chi Minh in 1969
• Nov: Birthday of Confucius; moveable holiday, as it depends on the moon calendar

Q. What is the Mid Autumn Festival in Vietnam?

A. The Mid Autumn Festival in Vietnam is a harvest festival celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. The celebration involves offering sacrifices to the ‘god of Earth’.

Q. Is Tet a religious holiday?

A. Tet is the Vietnamese New Year and is a national holiday. ‘Tet’ is a short form for ‘Tet Nguyen Dan’ and means ‘festival’.

Q. What religion is the most prevalent in Vietnamese?

A. The majority of the population follows folk religions in Vietnam but Buddhism and Catholicism are the other prevalent religions in the country.

Q. What is the Mid Autumn Festival in Vietnam?

A. It is a festival where parents buy their children various types of lanterns, snacks and funny masks.

Q. What are the traditional celebrations in Vietnam?

A. There are two main traditional festivals celebrated in Vietnam by the locals are Tet and Mid-Autumn Festival. Tet is also known as the Vietnamese New Year and it is considered as the celebration of Thanksgiving, Christmas and one’s birthday on one day. The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most eminent festivals in Vietnam and is celebrated throughout the country by all the locals to celebrate harvest time.

Q. Do they celebrate Easter in Vietnam?

A. Easter is an important festival for the Christians residing in Vietnam but it is not celebrated throughout the country. The Christian population celebrates Easter in Vietnam by visiting Churches and organizing special family dinner.

Q. How long is the Tet holiday in Vietnam?

A. The Tet holiday in Vietnam is celebrated for a week or two in Vietnam and it is celebrated in late January or early February.

Q. How is Christmas celebrated in Vietnam?

A. In Vietnam, Christmas Eve is more important than the main day of Christmas. There is no public holiday on Christmas and the Christians residing in Vietnam celebrate it by attending the evening or morning mass held in the church.

Q. Is there a Vietnamese New Year?

A. The Vietnamese New Year falls on the first day of spring and is also called Tet. The Vietnamese New Year is celebrated all over Vietnam as it is the beginning of everything new and it is also a public holiday.

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Apart from 15 biggest yearly festivals above, Vietnam still has many festive & events held in small cities and provinces across the country but these 15 festivals could be enough to make you overwhelmed with the fact that Vietnam is rich in culture and customs and having a glimpse of such Vietnam traditional events will prompt an urge to visit this amazing country.